Charity and Its Fruits

​The spirit of charity is one of humility (1 Corinthians 13:4-5) that:
 

• Sees God’s infinite power (Psalm 113:6), holiness (Isaiah 6:5, 57:15; Job 42:5-6; Psalm 51:17; Matthew 5:3), and loveliness (Job 15:15-16, 4:18-19; Genesis 32:10; 2 Samuel 7:18).
• Sees our natural meanness and filth, unworthy and distrustful (Romans 12:3).
• Hates our sins.
• Gives all glory to God (Psalm 115:1), willing to subject to His command and accept His sovereignty.
• Is content with our status, even if it is desperate; without envying those better than us, without greed for honor, and not seeking great things for ourselves (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Jeremiah 45:5, Romans 12:16). This includes accepting a social hierarchy, willingly to give those above us what they deserve (Romans 14:7, Titus 3:1).
• Doesn’t show off or puff up to those worse than us (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Matthew 23:5); doesn’t assume others will respect us (Philippians 2:3 and Ephesians 3:8); doesn’t look down on others because we are all similar (Romans 12:16); and gives them the honor and respect they deserve.
• Appreciates reproval from those who have charity or are good, and confesses our faults to each other (James 5:16, Psalm 141:5).
• Isn’t stubborn regarding our private interest (2 Peter 2:10), but willing to yield (1 Corinthians 4:7, Matthew 5:40-41).

 
Christ on earth showed humility. He became human (the worm of the dust), lived as a servant, and remained obedient unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-8). His behavior should kindle our love for Him; and lead to us following His examples of humble love, and our contempt for all earthly glory (Matthew 10:24-25, 20:25-28; John 13:13-16).
 
Carefully examine yourself (Habakkuk 2:4, James 4:6). Our original nature is arrogant, which God detests and punishes (1 Timothy 3:6; Proverbs 16:5, 6:16, 29:23; 2Samuel 22:28; Isaiah 23:9).
 
Earnestly strive to have a humble, gentle, and loving spirit (1 Peter 3:4). This is the spirit of Christ on earth. Such spirit of charity will lead to getting His rich promises and the crown of glory in heaven.
 
Summary of a sermon by Jonathan Edwards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kenDI_9Tb88
 


仁爱和它的果子
 
仁爱的精髓是谦卑（哥林多前书 13：4-5）：
 

• 看见上帝的无限大能（诗篇 113:6）、圣洁（以赛亚书 6:5, 57:15; 约伯记 42:5-6; 诗篇 51:17; 马太福音 5:3）和可爱（约伯记 15:15-16, 4:18-19; 创世记 32:10; 撒母耳记下 7:18)。
• 看见自己天生的卑鄙和污秽, 不配和不值得信任（罗马书 12:3).
• 将一切荣耀归与上帝（诗篇 115:1），愿意服从祂的命令，接受祂的主权。
• 满足于自己的景况，即使是绝境中也是如此。不嫉妒比自己好的人，不贪图虚荣，也不为自己谋求大事（哥林多前书 13:4-5, 耶利米书 45:5, 罗马书 12:16)。谦卑也包括接受社会的层次，愿意给予在上的人应得的尊敬（罗马书 14:7, 提多书 3:1）。
• 不自我炫耀，不向比自己地位情形差的人夸耀（哥林多前书 13:4-5, 马太福音 23:5），也不假设别人会尊重自己（腓立比书 2:3, 以弗所书 3:8）， 不看不起别人（罗马书 12:16）, 给他人应得的荣誉和尊重。
• 感谢出于爱心和善意的责备,互相承认自己的过错（雅各书 5:16, 诗篇 141:5）。
• 愿意放弃私人利益（彼得后书 2:10），情愿让步（哥林多前书 4:7, 马太福音 5:40-41）。

 
来到地上的基督表现出谦卑。祂成为人 (尘土中的虫)，像仆人一样生活，存心顺服，以至于死，且死在十字架上（腓立比书 2：6-8）。祂的行为应该点燃我们对祂的爱，使我们效法祂谦卑的爱的榜样, 蔑视一切地上的荣耀（马太福音10:24-25, 20:25-28; 约翰福音13:13-16）。
 
仔细省察自己（哈巴谷书 2:4, 雅各书 4:6）。人狂妄的本性为神所憎恶和会得到惩罚（提摩太前书 3：6；箴言 16：5, 6：16, 29：23；撒母耳记下 22：28；以赛亚书 23：9）。
 
认真努力追求谦卑、温柔和仁爱的心（彼得前书 3:4），这是基督的灵在地上的彰显。如此可以得到祂丰富的应许和天上荣耀的冠冕。